We’re used to seeing random Fifties four-doors turned into knockoff cop cars, but this Packard-powered tri-tone 1956 Hudson Hornet for sale on Hemmings.com is apparently the real documented deal, as unusual a choice and finish for a cop car as it might be. From the seller’s description:

This one of a kind Hudson Hornet Custom-8 police car finished in factory-correct tri-tone Grenadier red/black/white with red and white interior is one of the most unique and historic vehicles being offered anywhere. Without question, this is a rarely seen model, but the history and options most assuredly make this car like no other in existence. Power comes from a Packard-designed 352 V-8 rated at 220 horsepower, just to make sure none of the bad guys got away. Just in case they did get too far ahead, the officer driving this car could call for assistance on the Johnson Messenger 130A car phone. Once the officer caught this suspect, he could secure him in the back seat with the built-in leg iron anchors as they hit the road to justice. As Jake Elwood might say, “It’s got cop shocks, cop tires, cop engine, and the engine was designed pre-catalytic converters….” This car is in excellent condition for an older restoration and would still turn heads in any parade, but could use a mild freshening in order to be in A-1 condition.

If I had room to park it,I would buy it. You would definetly stand out in the usual crowd of Camero’s,and Chevele’s. You would have your choice of Packard,Hudson,AMC,Chrysler,and now Fiat clubs to hang out with,as well as cop car clubs.

Real documented deal? What police agency owned it? What police agency would have paid for the Continental kit and chrome wheel covers? What police agency would have bought this knowing that Ford, GM, and Mopar were cheaper and easier to find parts for? At the time this was a medium to high end car aimed at Buick, right? Doesn’t make sense to me, even knowing that Adam-12 used a Matador.

Anyone can paint anything they want on a door. I’ve seen a “Metropolis” bathtub Nash police setup inspired by Superman comics. Yes, there were Packard engine parts available, but everyone could see that full-size AMC’s were on their way out and the dealer body wasn’t anything special. The only way that makes sense is if some small town Hudson dealer wanted to get it off their lot and made the Sheriff’s Department a good deal. And that’s a stretch.

After having looked at the listing instead of the Hemmings article, well, OK, kinda. Maybe Roscommon Township was really tiny back in the mid-50s and it was a small PD/Sheriff’s department. Maybe the individual officers had more purchasing authority than usual. Maybe since it was in Michigan there were Hudson dealers around. Maybe they got a screaming deal on it. Still having trouble with a continental kit and chrome hubcaps on a cop car.

Good point. Police vehicles were spartan at best. I don’t remember a patrol car with anything fancier than basic hubcaps. Interesting that that point wasn’t noticed by the others, including me. And while we’re on the authenticating part, I don’t recall ever seeing a police/sheriff vehicle that was any color than black, white or combination black and white until the 60s. Mind you the only traveling I ever did back then was on family vacations, and a police car was the last thing I looked at.

I know of examples, in my area in the ’50s, of cars that were purchased by local law enforcement officers. They purchased cars of their choice, meeting some basic requirements and then the officers received a vehicle allowance.

That’s what I was thinking too, I grew up in a small Rural town and the sheriff usually bought his choice of patrol car, and had it fitted out the way he wanted and it was covered by an allowance. That led to some very interesting and cushy patrol cars, but hey, if you’re going to spent 75 percent of your time in it, why not?

Right on, CrownCoupe64; small towns, and I’m talking 7, 8 hundred, or, maybe 1000 to 4 or 5 thousand population, many times bought or let whoever the ‘appointed’ officer drove whatever car was maybe new enough to, at least, catch a kid on a fast motor scooter be the “police car”. Two friends and I were caught in a speed trap in southern Illinois in 1950, the police car? A ’50 Olds 88 convertible!! Had a red lensed spot light and a siren behind the grill…

My goodness what a schmozzles of colours and style. Normal 1950′s Hudson Hornets – Wow – This one – a Metal Chrome Plastic Stew – no more a Hudson than a Russian Zil is a Lincoln. Would love to have seen the house of whoever ordered this and all its jewellery. A veritable Museum of Tastelessness. But to each his own

Earlier I tried to post a link to a different listing that was a little more detailed about the vehicle’s history, but that was a bad idea. In short, the current owne bought the Hudson from the son of the police officer who bought the car brand new, and it comes with the original bill of sale.

I never cease to be amazed at how skeptical car people can be. This looks like the real deal to me. I remember when I sold my grandparents 63′ Nova II hardtop. It had 22,000 orig miles on it but no matter what, I could not convince anyone of that fact which I of course knew to be true. Apparently a lot of people have been ripped off in the past. Otherwise, they wouldn’t just assume everytings too good to be true.